Lemay Joins the Saudi Arabia–Canada Investment Forum in Jeddah

On July 9, Amro El Chabti, Senior Partner and Regional Director, USA & Middle East at Lemay, participated in the Saudi Arabia–Canada Investment Forum in Jeddah, held during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the Kingdom. The forum brought together senior government officials, investors and private-sector leaders from both countries to explore opportunities for stronger trade, investment and collaboration. 

It marked an important step in the development of Canada–Saudi Arabia relations, at a time when both countries are looking to deepen economic ties and establish longer-term partnerships.

Building a stronger Canada–Saudi Arabia relationship 

Fifteen agreements were signed during the forum across five priority areas: mining and critical minerals, financial services, advanced industries, artificial intelligence and data centres, and skills development. 

The visit also included the announcement of a new Canada–Saudi Arabia Coordination Council, which will provide a framework for continued dialogue between the two countries. Together, these initiatives point to a relationship increasingly focused on sustained cooperation across multiple sectors rather than individual transactions. 

For Canadian companies, this evolving relationship creates new opportunities to engage with one of the world’s most ambitious economic and urban transformation programs. 

Implications for the built environment 

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 continues to drive significant investment across the Kingdom, from infrastructure and technology to culture, tourism and urban development. The scale and pace of this transformation are creating a rapidly evolving environment for architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and other disciplines involved in shaping the built environment. 

The context also brings specific considerations for international practices. Projects must respond to the Kingdom’s climate and environmental conditions while engaging with local culture, development priorities and ways of building. Increasingly, collaboration involves a combination of international expertise and local knowledge, with relationships and knowledge-sharing playing an important role alongside design expertise. 

This broader context is particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia moves from the development of individual landmark projects toward the creation of new districts, communities and systems that will shape the country for decades to come. 

Continuing engagement in the region 

Participating in the Saudi Arabia–Canada Investment Forum provided an opportunity to connect with Canadian and Saudi stakeholders and gain further insight into the priorities shaping the Kingdom’s next phase of development. 

As Canada and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their economic relationship, forums such as this one offer an important space for dialogue around the expertise, partnerships and ideas that can contribute to the region’s ongoing transformation.